IN BRIEF/TRANSPORTATION

UPS Pilots OK Vote on Strike Authorization

The executive board of the pilots union at United Parcel Service Inc. has approved holding a strike authorization vote after protracted contract talks between the two sides broke down, the union said.

The giant shipping company, however, denied that negotiations were at an impasse. The two sides have been in federal mediated talks since June but have been unable to reach agreement on issues involving scheduling, scope, compensation, pension and benefits.